KOLLAM: The police on Tuesday arrested the office secretary to MLA KB Ganesh Kumar, for allegedly trying to threaten and influence a witness in the actress sexual assault case, in which popular Malayalam actor Dileep is an accused. Pradeep Kumar (42), was arrested from his residence at Pathanampuram early this morning based on a complaint from a witness in the case. The arrest comes days after the Kerala High Court declined to transfer the trial in the case from the present court.

 A popular South Indian actress was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted by a gang at the behest of actor Dileep in February 2017. Dileep, who is also an accused in the case, was arrested in this connection in July 2017 and was granted bail in October.

Kumar, who is with the ruling LDF in Kerala, said that Pradeep was expelled from his office. He declined to make any further comments. Kumar and actor Dileep, who is an accused in the actress assault case, are close to each other and hence police suspect that Pradeep could have threatened the approver at the behest of Dileep.

Thrissur native Jinson, who is another witness in the case, also alleged of threats from the accused against giving statements. He said in a complaint to the police that a person contacted him over phone twice and offered around five cents land and Rs. 25 lakh in cash. Jinson was also a co-prisoner when the actor assault case accused were in the prison under remand.
 

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